Assessment of Air Pollutants Emitted During Bio‐Based Briquette Combustion Using AiRBoxSense

ABSTRACT This study investigates air pollutants emitted during briquette combustion in indoor environments with a focus on nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), as well as particulate matter (PM 2 . 5 and PM 10 ). Briquettes made from plastic face masks and biomass wastes are sustainable alternatives to conventional fuels; however, their combustion poses potential risks due to the release of harmful pollutants. Pollutant concentrations were measured using AiRBoxSense sensors for real‐time air quality monitoring in briquettes composed of Imperata cylindrica (IC), mango peels (MP), plastic face masks (FM), and their combinations (IC:MP, IC:FM, FM:MP). Key pollutants, which are NO 2 , SO 2 , CO, PM 2 . 5 , and PM 10 , were prioritized based on their well‐documented health and environmental implications. NO 2 and SO 2 serve as combustion markers and are associated with respiratory disorders and acid deposition, respectively. CO is a toxic gas that poses significant risks in confined spaces, while PM 2 . 5 and PM 10 exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions through particulate pollution. The findings revealed that NO 2 was undetectable in IC briquettes but was present in MP, FM, and blended briquettes, with concentrations up to 0.316 ppm. SO 2 concentrations ranged from 2.10 to 12.55 ppm, CO levels spanned from 3.58 to 9.31 ppm, PM 2 . 5 concentrations ranged from 0.0011 to 0.0543 mg/m 3 , and PM 10 from 0.0017 to 0.0725 mg/m 3 . These results highlight the potential health risks associated with briquette combustion, particularly regarding SO 2 , CO, PM 2 . 5 , and PM 10 emissions. Additionally, this study demonstrates the utility of AiRBoxSense sensors in real‐time monitoring of air quality and highlights the necessity for further investigation into emissions from alternative bio‐based fuel sources to ensure their safety and sustainability.